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8/4/2019 UT Dallas Syllabus for huas6350.001.11f taught by Susan Briante (scb062000)
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Course Syllabus/Policy Statement
HUAS 6350 - 001 CREATING POETRY Class Number: 80641Fall 2011 M 1 - 3:45 AM, JO 4.112Professor Contact Information
Dr. Susan Briante Phone: x-6781E-mail: sbriante@utdallas.edu Office: JO 5.112Office hours: Wednesday 10-12 or by appointment
Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions
Upper Division Standing
Course Description
Creating Poetry from Tradition to Innovation
How do contemporary poets do what they do? How can we learn from the past and yet still make it
new? In this class, we will look at poetry from the ancients to the present as models for our own work.
We will consider poetic traditions as well as contemporary poetic procedures. During the first few weeks
of class we will move through Kenneth Kochs essays and anthology to give us an overview of the history
of poetic practice (Koch starts with Sappho and ends with Gary Synder). We will review the most
important characteristics of poetry (rhyme, rhythm, repetition, image, music, etc.) Then we will work
through the various stages of inspiration, creation and revision of our own poems. Students specializing in
creative writing will find this class useful in establishing an overview of contemporary and traditional
poetic practices as well as in trying their hand at a variety of writing styles. Literature and History of
Ideas students may find this class helpful as a way to learn about contemporary poetry from the inside
out, working through both a critical and creative understanding of it.
Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
To identify the major elements of contemporary poetry: rhyme, rhythm, meter, diction, line
breaks, stanza breaks, syntax, etc.
To practice poetic journal writing as a place for poetic inspiration.
To identify and analyze the aesthetic strategies of contemporary poets.
To understand the characteristics of strong descriptive writing
To become better editors of your own work, as well as that of your classmates.
Required Textbooks and Materials
The Essential Haiku (ed. Robert Hass) ISBN-10: 0880013516
Hopkins, Gerard Manley Poems and Prose ISBN-10: 0140420150
Koch, KennethMaking Your Own Days ISBN-10: 0-684-82438-8
Notley, AliceMysteries of Small Houses ISBN-10 0140588965
Schuyler, James Selected Poems ISBN-10: 0374530890
Recommended Texts
Vendler, Helen The Breaking of Style: Hopkins, Heaney, Graham ISBN-10: 0674081218
Hass, Robert The Apple Trees at Olema: New and Selected Poems ISBN-10: 0061923826
Selected readings provided in class, on web, on Electronic Reserves (ER) or through Print Reserves.
Our Electronic Reserves password is: _______________________.
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Additional Requirements
Access to a computer and a printer An e-mail account A journal: one notebook that you will consistently use for sketches and poetic journal. Folders for class handouts, daily pages, and final portfolios.Assignments & Academic Calendar
Some of your reading assignments will come from the anthology,Making Your Own Days. These
assignments will be indicated by the abbreviation (Koch). Additional readings may be posted on the
Electronic Reserves page (ER) or distributed in class. When we read a complete book of poems, please beready to talk about the books general themes and strategies as well as offer a detailed reading and
analysis of specific poems in the book. Pay special attention to those poems that seem representative as
well as those poems you simply enjoy or dislike the most.
You can anticipate weekly writing assignments that do not appear on this syllabus.
Once during the semester, you will be expected to attend a reading. You will have three opportunities tofulfill this requirement (two on Thursday nights, one on Wednesday night). This is mandatory unless you
can prove you have a class, childcare or employment conflict.
Aug 29
What is poetry? (Part 2)
Making Music: Line, Meter, Rhythm, and Stanza.
Sept 5 NO CLASS LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Sept 12
Making Music: Learning from the Masters
Assignment: Reading: A Brief Preface, Chapter 1 Two Languages, and Chapter 2 Music (13-49).Also read the poems by Petrarch (158-159), Shakespeare (173), Hopkins (212), Rilke (220-221),
Whitman (204-205) and OHara (295). All readings in Koch except: How to Read a Poem (class) and
Poetic Journals: A Thumbnail History (13-17) (ER).
Sept 19
Writing with the Senses
What is essential to learn from haiku?
Concrete vs Abstract Language (No ideas but in things!)
Writing, Crafting and Revision: Modeling workshop, the importance of revision
Assignment:All readings fromEssential Haiku. Please read the Introduction by Robert Hass (ix-xvi). I
encourage you to read the introduction to each writer as well as a hearty selection of their haiku. In
addition, please pay special attention to: Bashos Saga Diary (59-70), Busons Spring Wind andNew Flower Picking (131-141), as well as Issa From Journal of My Fathers and A Year in MyLife (197-217). Bashos Learn from the Pine (233-250).
Sept 26
Essential Haiku
Robert Hass (Selected poems)
Workshop Begins: Group 1
Assignment: Read selected Hass (ER).
Group 1: Posts poems.
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Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 1
Oct 3
HopkinsPoems and Prose
Workshop: Group 2
Assignment: Hopkins Poems and Prose
Group 2: Posts poems.Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 2
Oct 10
HopkinsPoems and Prose
Workshop: Group 3
Book Review Assignment
Assignment: Hopkins Poems and Prose
Gerard Manley Hopkins and Sprung Rhythm from Helen Vendlers The Breaking of Style (PrintReserves)Group 3: Posts poems.
Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 3.
Oct 17
Workshop: Group 4
Schuyler: Long poems and the New York School
Assignment: Schuyler, Selected Poems
Read Schulyer bio on Poets.orghttp://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/1120as well as A Brief Guide to
the New York Schoolhttp://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5668.
Complete book review.
Group 4: Posts poems.
Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 4
Oct 24
Workshop: Group 1Schuyler: Long poems and the New York School
Book Review Due
Assignment: Schuyler, Selected Poems
Read Rachel Zuckers An Anatomy of the Long Poem
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21750
Also read poetic statements by Frank OHara and James Schuyler from The New American Poetry (418-
420) on ER.Group 1: Posts group of poems.
Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 1.
Oct 27: Novelist Ann Weisgarber reads at 7:30 in Jonsson Performance Hall
Oct 31
Workshop: Group 2
Notley: Autobiography
Assignment:
Notley,Mysteries of Small HousesRead Notley bio on Poets.orghttp://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/767and essay
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5925.
Group 2: Posts group of poems.
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/1120http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/1120http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/1120http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5668http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5668http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5668http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21750http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21750http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/767http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/767http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/767http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5925http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5925http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5925http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/767http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21750http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5668http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/11208/4/2019 UT Dallas Syllabus for huas6350.001.11f taught by Susan Briante (scb062000)
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Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 2.
Nov 7
Workshop: Group 3
Notley: Autobiography
Assignment:
Notley,Mysteries of Small HousesNotley, Voice (147-157) from Coming After: Essays on Poetry an eBook available from the UTD
library.
Group 3: Posts group of poems.
Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 3.
Nov 14
Workshop: Group 4The Digital Daybook: Blogs
Assignment: Class reads selections from assigned poet bloggers.
Group 4: Posts group of poems.
Class: reads and responds to poems from Group 4.
Nov 16: Fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson lectures at 7:30 Jonsson Performance Hall
Nov 21
Getting Your Work into Print (Some tips on Publishing)
Revision
FIRST DRAFT OF PORTFOLIO DUE
Nov 28
Peer Review Conferences
PEER ANALYSIS OF CLASSMATES PORTFOLIO DUE
(BRING TWO COPIES)
Assignment: Peer Analysis of Classmates Portfolio
Dec 1: Poet reads off campus (details to follow)
Dec 5: FINAL PORTFOLIOS DUE
Assignments and Grading Policy
Exercises, quizzes, workshop poems and feedback on classmates work (20%). Twiceover the course of the semester, you will be expected to post 3-5 pages of poems (unless your
poems are less than 14 lines a piece, no more than one poem a page) to be shared and
discussed with the entire class. You will be asked to save these pages as PDFs and post these
pages the Thursday before your group is due for workshop; we will use eLearning
mail/attachment function and you will send them to me as an attachment.
One 3- to 4-page review of a book of poetry published by a single author within the lasttwo years (30%). You will be able to write about the book of your choice. You will be
expected to research a potential publisher for this review. You will be expected to write your
review based on the concepts and issues discussed in class.
One 4-5 page peer analysis of another students final portfolio of poems (20%). Final Portfolio of 7-10 pages of revised poems (30%).
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To pass the course, you must turn in on time the first draft of each group of poems or out-of-class
assignment. The completion of these drafts is a course requirement, and your peers and I will look
at your drafts. To complete each final draft of the poems for your portfolio, you need to act upon
the comments you received on your first drafts.
Your final semester grade will be calculated according to the above percentages. Do not discard anydrafts, notes, papers or research materials you produce during the semester until you receive a final grade
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance
You are expected to be punctual, to attend class daily, and to participate in all in-class editing,
revising, and discussion sessions. Excessive absenteeism (3 absences) will result in failure of the
course. There is no difference between excused or unexcused absences. Save any absences to
use when you are sick or when you have an emergency. If you find that an unavoidable problem
prevents you from attending class, please discuss the problem with me before you have reached
your absence limit.
Late Assignments and Drafts
Poems, papers, and other out-of-class assignments will be turned in at the time they are due. If
you cannot attend class on the date an assignment is due, arrange to have a classmate or friend
drop it off during scheduled class time. There is no makeup of in-class work. I do not accept late
drafts or late papers. I do not accept poems or papers via e-mail.
Student Conduct & Discipline
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations
for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations that govern student
conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the
UTD publication,A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in theRules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3 ,
and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the universitysHandbook ofOperating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violatingthe standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic IntegrityThe faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by
the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
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Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as ones own work or
material that is not ones own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any othersource is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the universitys policy on plagiarism (see
general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a students U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTDfurnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-levelcourses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements
from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper
paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to
attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities,
of the universitysHandbook of Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments
of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to
resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the
grievance originates (hereafter called the respondent). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of therespondents School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is notresolved by the School Deans decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic
appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.
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Inmplete Grade PolicyAs per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at
the semesters end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade
must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the
specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade ofF.
Student AccessAbility
The Office of Student AccessAbility is committed to ensuring that qualified students with
documented disabilities are provided with an equal opportunity to participate in the variety of
educational, recreational and social opportunities at UT Dallas.Student AccessAbility is locatedin Student Services Building 3.200.
The contact information is:
UT Dallas Student AccessAbility
800 W. Campbell Rd., SSB32
Richardson, TX 75083
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary
to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for
example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired).
Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessiblefacilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration,
note-taking, or mobility assistance.
It is the students responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Student AccessAbility provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individualsrequiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Religious Holy Days
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be
allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a
period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies
the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the
absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed periodmay receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative
intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.
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